Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Seeking and enjoying the company of others: Describes a person who is sociable, outgoing, and enjoys being with other people.
   • (Of animals) tending to form groups: Describes animals that naturally live or move in flocks, herds, or other social groups.
   • (Of plants) growing in groups: Describes plants that grow closely together in clusters or colonies.

Usage Examples

• Describing a person:
  • She is very gregarious and loves hosting parties.
  • His gregarious nature made him popular at the new school.
• Describing animals:
  • Sheep are gregarious animals, often staying close together in a flock.
  • Many fish species are gregarious for protection.
• Describing plants:
  • This gregarious species of bamboo forms dense thickets.

Advanced Usage

• In psychology/sociology: Used to describe a fundamental personality trait.
  • Gregarious individuals often thrive in team-oriented work environments.
• In biology/zoology: A technical term for species behavior.
  • The study focused on the gregarious habits of the insect colony.

Variants and Related Words

• Gregariousness (noun): The quality or state of being gregarious.
  • Her gregariousness was evident in her wide circle of friends.

Synonyms

• Sociable
• Outgoing
• Convivial
• Companionable
• Social (for animals)

Antonyms

• Introverted
• Solitary
• Reclusive
• Unsociable

Related Idioms and Phrases

• The life of the party: An idiom often describing a very gregarious person.
  • With his jokes and energy, he was always the life of the party.
• Flock together: A phrase related to gregarious behavior, implying people with similar interests congregate.
  • Birdwatchers tend to flock together at the annual convention.

Adjective

1. (of plants) growing in groups that are close together
2. instinctively or temperamentally seeking and enjoying the company of others
   • he is a gregarious person who avoids solitude
3. (of animals) tending to form a group with others of the same species
   • gregarious bird species